AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy believes the referee who handled their CAF Champions League defeat against Algerian club ES Setif was biased in his decisions.
Usuthu went down 2-0 in Algiers in a game handled by Haythem Guirat from neighbouring Tunisia.
"I think the referee could have maybe handled the game differently, handled the game a bit more professionally," notes McCarthy.
"He was a bit biased in my opinion. He allowed for certain to play on but when it came to us, he was very quick to give yellow cards out. So, with players when you are on a yellow card you tend to play a bit nervy and make mistakes but credit to them for the way they started the game and took their opportunity," says the former Bafana Bafana international who also felt they played into their opponents.
"Very difficult game for is because, from the first minute, Setif started really well and pressed us high. They obviously wanted to get an early goal so that they can settle well in the game. The fact is that we complied and allowed them to press us the way they did made it a nervy start for us but after that, I think we controlled a little bit of the game.
"When you concede in the manner that we did. Not clearing our lines and then allowing them to score on the stroke of half-time
"We could have had scored one or two goals, but the finishing has been a problem for us this season not just in the CAF competition but in the domestic league as well. Chances that any player even a 15-year-old would probably score but we seem to miss and when you do that you make life difficult for yourself because when the game is tough as this.
"When you get an opportunity, you put it in the back of the net and the game can change on its head just like that. We missed really good chances and Setif then saw the game off. They deserved the game to win the game but if we had scored it would have been different.
"The group is now completely open with. Raja (Casablanca) didn't win today (against Horoya) so there is a chance for Horoya and Setif to win the next two matches and they can also contest.
"We play Raja next and at home, we are a bit more solid and hopefully, we can win at home next week. It is everything to play for. It is a very open group now with no one guaranteed. If you win both then you give yourself an advantage. We have to believe, and the next match is at home," says McCarthy.